The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Shang Pu didn’t trust Shang Meiniang, not because he didn’t want to, but because he didn’t dare. Standing behind her was Xia Houzhe, that madman. If he trusted completely, he feared everything would be under the opponent’s control.

It wasn’t until Shang Meiniang’s heartfelt confession that he felt at ease.

”My lord, you...”

”As you said, I hate them, it’s they who changed my fate. I want to annoy Emperor Chu, but even more, I want Xia Houzhe dead.” Shang Pu, shedding his sickly demeanor, spoke with a fierce look in his eyes, ”Emperor Chu has many sons, many have already been crowned as princes, and now the Crown Prince hasn’t been established; they will surely fight to the death.”

”Do you know what kind of temptation the throne is? It’s like a piece of meat placed right at your mouth—everyone wants a bite, and look at Xia Houzhe to see that.” Shang Pu laughed softly, ”And the princes are no exception, all being princes, all are ambitious. Why compete, why him and not me? There are no real feelings of brotherhood in the imperial family; my royal brother, sooner or later he’ll see brothers destroy each other, and even kill father and brother for that position, that’s the greatest annoyance.”

Shang Meiniang’s heart raced.

”Going far away, Xia Houzhe will surely be exposed; even if he doesn’t expose himself, he will become an abandoned pawn. He thinks Xia’s old troops are indispensable to him, but no, without Mr. Ning bringing them together, how would they be loyal to a child? They used to consider bloodlines, the precedence of the former Crown Prince, but everyone has selfishness, there’s always a scale in their heart. Rebellion and restoration aren’t things driven by fervor alone; they also weigh the benefits, whether it’s worth it.”

”Human hearts scatter easily; when there’s no hope in sight, who’ll follow to meet their doom, especially when dragging along a family? People have attachments, and therefore, weaknesses. If Xia Houzhe had stayed in his fiefdom and obediently followed Mr. Ning and the others’ plans, showing patience, the old troops would still sincerely serve him as their lord, and I wouldn’t have had a chance.”

”My lord, could it be you...”

Shang Pu looked at her: ”The more people do, the more mistakes they make, and the easier it is to show flaws. If he doesn’t leave his fiefdom, come to the capital, how would he be thought-provoking? Once these thoughts bubble up, it’s easy to handle. He thinks everything is under his control but doesn’t know he’s already scattered people’s hearts. Once scattered, it’s hard to gather again.”

Shang Meiniang’s red lips moved slightly: ”Did you plant someone by his side?”

Shang Pu neither admitted nor denied, simply said: ”I can’t entirely shake Xia’s old troops, but watching him fall from high up is enough.”

He wants to watch the things Xia Houzhe possesses, brought to ruin by Xia Houzhe himself, only then can he justify his sickly body.

Thinking of this, Shang Pu grew somewhat excited, a sickly flush rose to his face, and he couldn’t help but cough.

Shang Meiniang hurriedly tried to soothe his back.

Outside the door, someone softly called out ”my lord.”

Shang Pu let the person come in, and upon seeing Shang Meiniang, the person paused briefly before moving forward with a paper slip when Shang Pu nodded, saying, ”My lord, over on the capital side, the prince has already followed the advice to come out of the Heavenly Prison, and he spent a night drunk. The message from the boy beside old Zhao is that the gentleman has decided to abandon the pawn and support Young Master Dong instead. My lord, the imperial guards are about to reach this manor, should you...”

”No need, the time is almost up.” Shang Pu smiled.

Shang Meiniang felt a chill down her back; she didn’t anticipate Shang Pu’s nature to be so patient and deeply concealed. When did this plan begin?

Was everything in the past just an act?